Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Truck Nastics




I took these cool pictures while Taylor flipped on and off the truck.

American Idol?



Do you think that Natalie is ready for American Idol?

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Volleyball times Three

Joe spent all day in Richmond watching Mallory, Rachel and Taylor play volleyball. Mallory's team started strong winning their first match, then slowed down towards the end of the day. Mallory wasn't feeling well all day and it showed. Rachel's team was undefeated in pool play, but lost a close match in the semi-finals. Taylor's team struggled all day, but she got to play a lot more than we thought she would and she had a lot of fun. The next tournaments are in two weeks.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Blue and Gold Banquet


Joseph joined Boy Scouts over two years ago, only to have his den disband before the end of the year. Last year, he didn't want to do Scouts at all. This last summer, he decided that the wanted to join Scouts again this year. So we signed him up and he has loved it even though he is the only boy his age in the Pack, all of the other boys are 2-3 years younger than Joseph. Tonight, at the big award ceremony, he finally received 2 badges that he actually earned his first year as a Boy Scout. He also got a badge for participating in the pinewood derby. Plus, since he is the only Weblo, he gets to represent the Weblos of his pack at the district pinewood derby race next month.

Big and Little

Joe said "I'm not carrying either one of them up the stairs to bed!"

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

More Volleyball News

Taylor found out yesterday, after a week of tryouts, that she made the middle school volleyball team. She is very excited. She is getting frustrated with gymnastics right now and is glad to have something else to do. She also wants to try out for the track team next quarter.

Principal's List Again

We had breakfast at school this morning as Joseph got straight A's for the third quarter in a row, the last quarter in 3rd grade and the first 2 quarters in 4th grade so far.

Fridge Magnets

Fine motor therapy
Natalie loves playing with these refrigerator magnets

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Volleyball As Far As the Eye Can See

This is a picture of about half of the volleyball courts that were crammed into this location for a two day volleyball tournament where both Rachel's and Mallory's teams played. The girls and I spent two days living and breathing nothing but volleyball from 8am Saturday morning until about 2:00pm Sunday afternoon. Thank you Grandpa for coming down to watch the girls play.

Rachel at the Net

Rachel's main job is to block.
I have lots of pictures of her attempting to block.
This block was successful.
So was this one.
Rachel's team came in second place in their division. WTG Syrens!!!

Mallory Had a Great Tournament

Look how high Mallory got off the ground during this hit.
Mallory helps to form a wall at the net.
Mallory scored many points with her consistent serving.
Mallory doesn't play much in the back row, but when she does, I think she does a great job.
This hit was a kill. The setter on Mallory's club team is so good that she makes Mallory's job to hit the ball back over the net so much easier. The two of them work very well together.

Tae Kwon Do Belt Testing


Bailey earned her Blue Advanced belt and Joseph very proudly earned his Jr. Black Belt.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Happy Birthday Bailey!

Bailey is 7 years old today.
Here she looks much older than 7 thanks to Rachel's makeup job. Of course I think that this picture shows a glimse of what Bailey will look like as a teenager. Watch Out!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Cat Dog?

Freckles acts like a cat sometimes more than he does a dog.

Who's Feet?

Close-up of two pairs of feet.
Silly sisters - Bailey and Natalie!
Hey Mom - Can you give it a rest with the camera?

Happy Birthday Joe!

Happy Birthday!
Joe starts with the little presents.
Natalie clearly wanted him to start with the big one.
She couldn't wait until Joe opened this one. It wasn't very exciting to her, it was a new phone for downstairs. One with a corded handle so the older girls can't run off with the phone and leave nothing for Joe to answer during the day.

More Birthday Photos

This present was from Natalie as she has messed up Joe's current computer headphones by putting them on and off all the time.
Speak no evil, Hear no evil and See no evil?

Making Cheesy Bread Sticks

Joseph, Bailey and Natalie went to the Young Chef's Academy yesterday and learned how to make cheesy bread sticks. They wanted to make them again, so we decided to make them for Joe's birthday dinner and they would be perfect to have with baked ziti.
Natalie helps to knead and roll out some of the dough.
Bailey spreads egg whites on the dough before putting cheese on it.
Joseph puts egg whites and then mozzarella cheese on them too.
Taylor helps make them too. Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Stratton Family Photo Shoot

The whole family. Taylor, Mallory, Karen, Joe,
Natalie, Rachel, Joseph and Bailey down in front.
Dad and the kids.
Mom and the kids.
Just the kids, posing for a silly shot.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today would have been my Mom's 70th birthday!
She passed away just over 9 years ago.